An Open Letter

Dear Historians who were Surveyed,

Truman, really? Bitch, please.

Love,
Charlotte

Been a bit of an epic fail at updating, hasn't it?

But then, Charlotte and I are both full time college students and in the midst of writing final papers last semester, blog posts definitely aren't high up on the list of ways to procrastinate (well, for me at least). Too much like writing my stupid papers.

So it's a new year and a new semester. And I have still more sweet youtube videos to share.



This, we watched in one of my classes on Tuesday. I've been linking it left and right because it's amazing. Turns out one of my bulletproof kinks is clever reappropriation of texts to create cultural commentary. I should have realized this sooner.



This is just adorable. Gayness and fairy tales, what more could you ask for (except for glitter and Rupert Grint!)?



This still makes me laugh, mostly because I recognize myself and people I know in this. It'll probably entertain you even if you're not a queer woman because That's What She Said are that brilliant.

I wish I could say there was more of a theme to this post, but really, it's just that I've been a bad blogger and these are my most recently favorited YouTube videos.

Oh, and someone I read linked to this and it alternately amuses and horrifies me. Why are romance novels so awful? And why is there a romance novel generator that's even more Mary Suetastic than usual?

Things like that make me really, really glad I read feminist and queer theory on a regular basis (yes, I know Janice Radway wrote about romance novels in the 80s and as someone who studies pop culture I have to accept that they have just as much worth as Buffy or Dollhouse (which premiers tonight and I'm super excited about it) but I still don't like romance novels) to help balance out the banality horror inanity utter crap existence of things like romance novel "plot" generators. This is a really great essay about what feminism is and everyone should read it. Even people who write terrible self-insert romance novels. Because you know what? They can be feminists too.

Off my elitist and feminist soapbox now. I need to find out if Lux (who's "abroad" learning nifty stuff about radio documentaries this semester) is going to be online when Dollhouse starts so we can be fangirls together.

Wasting time

Sorry it's been such a long time since the last update! I was stage managing and costuming a show and Charlotte's classes are insane, and now final papers are upon us. There is not nearly enough time to do much beyond classwork and researching paper topics, though a dear friend of ours recently started what amounts to a virtual secret club house (i.e. an approval-only message board) and that's been occupying some of our "spare" time.

In order to keep my spirits up in these dark days of almost-winter and final paper hell, I've been listening to bad pop music and stuff that makes me want to dance, as well as watching youtube videos. Here are a few of my favorites:

Leeds United is the new video from Amanda Palmer. Before I go into detail about why I love this video, you need to know two things about me.

One: I adore cabaret culture/aesthetic and if I had any performance talent, I would totally become part of the neo-cabaret/burlesque movement. Since I can't actually perform worth crap, I totally want to tech or stage manage at a venue where there is neo-cabaret.

Two: I love the Dresden Dolls. I think they're amazingly talented performers and I love the lyrics and videos and their attitude towards fans and pretty much everything about them. I have the hugest crush on Amanda. I think she's one of the most talented female performers out there, she's funny, and smart, and oh my god is she hot.

So, I was really excited about her solo album and when I have money, I am buying it. I'm also really excited about the book because it involves Amanda and Neil Gaiman and that's about the best collaboration ever (it could only be improved by Colleen Atwood's costumes and Racheal Stirling. And possibly Johnny Depp). So now, you combine Amanda Palmer and her Brechtian punk cabaret sensibilities with a video that's this beautiful mesh of old-school nightclub and the Brigade and people in amazing clothes and Amanda Fucking Palmer, well, I pretty much have to restrain myself from getting up and bouncing around a bit, as I am at work and even here that would look a bit strange.



Charlotte introduced me to Kate Beaton comics earlier this year. I proceeded to watch Kate's lj because I am a stalker like that. It paid off. A few days ago, Kate linked to one of the most amazing music videos I've ever seen. I'm not a hug fan of the song, it's all right. Very heartfelt. Slightly stalkerish. I'm a much bigger fan of the video, which is sort of set in the Regency Period (note that I am also a huge Jane Austen fangirl). I don't think anything else needs to be said, it's sort of amazing (but not quite as amazing as Leeds United).



Also, these are my two favorite Kate Beaton comics:

(Click the poorly made thumbnails)

And finally, we come to one of the most disturbing, hilarious, and accurate Utena AMVs I have ever seen:



Special bonus video I just came across on facebook, so I don't know how many of you will be able to watch it. It's a minute long clip from the curtain call of the sequel to a show I stage managed two summers ago. So I had nothing to do with this particular show, but it's still wonderful and silly.

Barack the Vote

It is November 4 that means one very important things for those living in the U.S.A. It is Election Day! It is impossible to escape, especially this year when it is so important to so many people, including myself. I have been an ardent supporter of Sen. Barack Obama, I even voted for him in the primaries (after a lot of inner debate to choose between him and Sen. Clinton.) I take my right to vote very seriously, and despite all of the terrible things that occur to try and thwart voters, it is important to press on and not give up. We have to believe fervently that our voice counts, even if it isn't always heard, because that is the foundation on which a fair government is found. Participation in government is key even when they try to force us out and hide their real activities, because otherwise we allow corruption to run rampant as evidenced by this current administration. Transparency is important but it will only happen if we demand it. Its interesting how since Nixon and Watergate, and more recently, the debacle of the 2000 election, Americans have lost faith in the democratic process and therefore do not vote, but the only way to fix it is to continue to vote, stay determined and steadfast in your right to cast a ballot.

But I digress, there is something electric about this election. It feels to me that there is something in the air...dare I say...hope? That we are leaving a dark time of history and entering a period in which America can heal herself. That is at least what I am looking forward to.

Here are some excellent Election Day links:

A Look Back: http://thisfuckingelection.com/ (hasn't this been a little ridiculous?)

Election Updates/Resources:
NPR: http://www.npr.org/#/president?view=race08
PBS: http://www.pbs.org/vote2008/?campaign=election_module_news_headline
New York Times: http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/results/president/votes.html
BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7693060.stm
CNN: http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/index.html
MSNBC: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18970417

Projections Done Right: http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/

Lighter Side of the Election:
Indecision 2008: http://www.indecision2008.com/

Now, go Vote! Then take a rest, you, the candidates, and America all need one. (But make sure you vote first!)

The Last Gasp of Summer: A Musical Monday

I live in an area of incredibly unpredictable weather, especially in the autumn. Mother Nature is fickle in this part of the world, she cannot decide when to bring autumn to its colorful climax, or when to begin winter. One morning you can wake up to your car covered in frost and the next afternoon you can be wearing a t-shirt and watching a few late flowers blooming. Today seems like it will be the last final breath of summer for a while, I could be wrong, but pretty soon it will be getting cold here and we will begin to wonder when snow days will be rescuing us from a day of normal routine.

To honor this beautiful afternoon, perhaps the last in a great while, I felt it would be best to reminisce on the summer and as Ryan North has pointed out the best way to do this is to listen to the music of that time:


Therefore, I am going to share the Soundtrack of My Summer, to hark back to the memories of sunshine and bumblebees. (note: these are not songs that necessarily came out this summer, but just one that I happened to listen to a lot and therefore represent my summer.)

1. Cat's Meow-- The Bad Eliots

I first heard this song on a Snapple Antioxidant commercial (late at night) and knew immediately, despite being almost barely audible in the commercial. I must find out what it was called and who sang it, at first I thought perhaps it was Franz Ferdinand. And it took awhile, especially since the commercial was new, but I eventually found my answer on Yahoo! Answers. (a brilliant feature, I must say.) I was thrilled when I found it. It appears to still be available via the Snapple Antioxidant website, so do yourself a favor and download it.




2. Viva la Vida--Coldplay


This could arguably be the song of the summer. It was difficult to escape, but I didn't necessarily want to either. Every morning this is the song I would use to start off my work day, it would get me energized and ready to get down to business. Not only that but I did have the unbelievable fortune to see Coldplay live this summer and it was fantastic. Chris Martin has an unending fountain of energy.

3. Lucid Dreams-- Franz Ferdinand

You may remember me discussing this song previously.

4. I Will Possess Your Heart--Death Cab for Cutie

I adore Death Cab for Cutie, and if I had written a soundtrack for Summer 2007, perhaps the entirety of Transatlanticism and Plans would have been on there, I did not stop listening to those albums as I traveled on the trains of Europe. Therefore, to learn that they had new music coming out was incredibly exciting to me, but believe it or not I haven't actually bought Narrow Stairs yet (hint, hint) due to a lack of funds. (darn you Wii you wily temptress.) But I do have a download of I Will Possess Your Heart, it is an epic eight and a half minute song which I love listening to, even though it does have a disturbing subject matter. (For those who do not know, it is supposedly about a stalker.)

5. I'm Shakin'--Rooney

I have loved this song since I first heard it when it was released in 2003. But I rediscovered my love for Rooney it this summer via the fabulous Last.fm. Therefore, not only does it remind me of the summer, but in many ways I am reminded of high school, but the good days, when I felt free. "I'm Shakin'" just makes me want to get up and dance whenever I hear it and hope you feel the same way. (I really wanted to embed the music video, but I am forbidden by Universal Music Group, so I am providing a link.)

6. Stuttering--Ben's Brother

This is another I discovered via a commercial, (there is another on the list) this time a Dentyne Ice commerical:



This ad was very simple and sweet to me. And looking at the other songs on this list, I see one about a king who lost his kingdom, a stalker, one possibly about going delirious and one about trying to connect with the world. But "Stuttering" is a simple song about nervously falling in love. See I can be sentimental too.

7. Hit the Heartbrakes--Black Kids

Like all Black Kids songs, this is incredibly catchy. I can listen to this over and over again. It is not my favorite song by them, that position is reserved for "I'm Not Going to Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You" for which my love runs so deep that I could dedicate a whole post just to that one song. But I digress, I chose "Hit the Heartbrakes" for this list because I don't think it ever left the recesses in my head all summer. In quiet moments I would sit there and then suddenly I would hear "Oh, boo, what can I do?/It's not me, yeah, it's you./You've been hittin' the heartbrakes hard/ It ain't no use cause we're still gonna crash,/cause you're keeping after me./It's flattering, but really!" What a simple song, but oh so infectious.



How I wish I could have gone to Coachella...

8. Violet Hill--Coldplay

I probably put two Coldplay songs on here, but the album Viva la Vida was such an achievement that I want to put the entire album as a summer playlist. But I chose "Violet Hill" as my second one, because it was the song I went to right after I felt I had listened to "Viva la Vida" a bit too many times. Plus, "Violet Hill" could probably double as a winter song. And a war song.

9. Modern Way--Kaiser Chiefs

I found a love for the Kaiser Chiefs this summer that I never knew I had. They probably come second to Coldplay for artist of the summer for me. I actually had free choice plays privileges of the Kaiser Chiefs taken away from me on Last.fm because I played them too much. (but now they have released a new album, Off With Their Heads) Although "Modern Way" is not my favorite Kaiser Chiefs song, it is the most evocative of summer for me for some reason I can't explain. I think it might be because when I hear it I know its the Kaiser Chiefs immediately, there is no way to replace them. Plus, it has an excellent music video:



10. Shut Up and Let Me Go--The Ting Tings

This is the other song I found through a commercial, this time for an ipod, so at least it is connected to music. It is another song that just won't leave my head after I hear it. This should be an interesting few days after making this list! Once again embedding disabled.

11. Remind Me--Royksopp

That's right this one goes to 11. I couldn't let this list completely neglect all non-UK/American music. So last, but certainly not least, is Norwegian band Royksopp. This song was most appropriate in my quiet moments in the summer, when I just needed to reflect and lose myself in my thoughts.



Bonus!

I certainly didn't discover my love for The Decemberists this summer, oh no that is a deep and abiding love that has spanned many years. But I did discover their great music videos and they provided much entertainment during work hours:

Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect




16 Military Wives



O! Valencia (Director's Cut)

Not in the Bubble

Its strange how in an idyllic setting such as college you can be simultaneously more tuned into the world as you have ever been, and more checked out than ever. Even at my considerably politically active school, if you were to ignore the media (which I have known students who have) and stop paying attention to your more informed friends you could easily lose yourself in your studies, social life and the serene scenery that surrounds the campus. Although, it seems difficult, college can create a bubble in which you forget that the outside world is in great turmoil. I came to this realization my first year, when on a particularly beautiful day my International Relations class went outside to have our seminar. It happened to be the day we were discussing oil and the war on terror. And as we discussed these very real, very dangerous issues, I suddenly felt disconnected. My countryfolk were off fighting a war a continent away and we were extrapolating upon it we were surrounded by a field with flowers, trees, and mountains. The only sounds were of passing buses and insects celebrating the dawn of spring. It was easy to forget that we are a nation at war.

Politics are important to me, but I usually like to blog about lighter things. But with two weeks to go until the election, I felt I couldn't hold it in any longer. After reading stories like this or this. I worry what direction my country will take with the next president. Of course there is no way to predict the future, but by voting it is the one way democratic societies can try to shape their future.

My personal choice is to vote for Barack Obama, when I came to this decision it was when he was still in the primaries. I choose him because in my entire life, being born at the end of the Reagan administration, I cannot recall a presidental candidate who had the ability to inspire people the way Obama can. I have seen people settle for the lesser of two evils, watched people vote for those they felt didn't make the bigger mistake, but I have never seen anyone inspire true believers the way he does, even in an era of extreme political cyncism.

Other political issues weighing on my mind as I consider the next two weeks are Question 1 in Massachusetts and Proposition 8 in California.

Massachusetts, my state of residence, is considering eliminating the income tax, which in my opinion is incredibly irresponsible and reflect a system of values in which the individual sees his or her own personal benefit greater than the better for the entire community. People either do not realize how adversely this affects all the public works in the state or they do not care and see such things as road repair, educational systems, and police departments as government "pork." Granted, works like the Big Dig were a calamity and should have been handled far more responsibly than it had, but that does not mean that all public works will turn out badly. Hopefully, it will be a resounding NO and we will continue to work to keep up our state with quality services.

California, where I cannot vote, however it is not looking as hopeful. Proposition 8 which would eliminate the right for same-sex couples to marry in California. I know that there are really pressing issues in this election year that social issues such as same-sex marriage seem somehow less important, but what of all those people whoa re now married and will lose all their benefits if this passes. This creates a society in which homosexual love is devalued, that they are told they are less than. And second-class citizenry is not a position America should aspire to put anyone. There is a large battle going on in California right now over it, with celebrities such as Ellen, Steven Spielberg and Brad Pitt all donating money and throwing in their efforts to stop it.


In case anyone is looking to support the effort to stop the ban I would like to direct you to the "8 Against 8" campaign a group of lesbian bloggers, who is collecting money for the cause and offering free advertising and other benefits to those who donate. The participating blogs are:

Grace Chu and Grace Rosen - Grace The Spot
Lori Hahn - Hahn At Home
Kelly Leszczynski - The Lesbian Lifestyle
Dorothy Snarker - Dorothy Surrenders
Pam Spaulding - Pam's House Blend
Sinclair - Sugarbutch Chronicles
Riese - This Girl Called Automatic Win
Renee Gannon - Lesbiatopia

So support these fine ladies, and please make sure you vote. And be sure to be informed on the issues when you come to your decision, because every vote should be because you think it will be the best for the future. Stay informed and show people that you are not in a bubble, but a citizen of America, and the wider world.

A very special update written by Charlotte AND Alice

I realize that Charlotte, Monet, and I have been terrible bloggers. We've been very busy with classes and I'm stage managing and costuming a show and Monet has been hanging out with Buddha and contemplating the universe (he does this a lot).

We've been so busy that, despite rooming together, Charlotte and I have barely seen each other in something like two weeks. Right now she's editing a paper and working on an annotated bibliography and we've decided that once she's done, we need to do something fun.

We've decided that watching a movie is in order and I said it has to be a comedy and Charlotte wants something gay and then I realized this would be a perfect blog post.

So, here's a list of things Charlotte and I love to see in movies with our arbitrary points for each item. Obviously, the more points, the more we like it.

Comedy (+15): We like to laugh and it's a nice distraction from the stress of final papers (yes, we're already thinking about these and doing research because that's how space station college works).

Gay characters (+5 for Charlotte, -3 to +6 for Alice, depending on the portrayal): Since I'm queer and Charlotte loves fabulousness, we're all about GBLTQ characters. No heteronormative dilweeds allowed!

Drag queens (+10): Drag queens are fabulous. End of story. Unless it's Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. We're still trying to decide about how we feel about that film.

Drag kings (+50): There need to be more drag kings in the world. And uh, gender play is hot. Just sayin'.

Fabulousness (+1 to 100, depending): Does this need justification?

Glitter: See above

Pop culture references (but not too many because then it gets annoying!)(-7 to +8): There's a fine line between a sweet reference that makes things funnier and lamesauce.

David Bowie! (+9, though if it's unexpected, +20): Labyrinth. Need I say more? He combines kinda gay with glitter and fabulousness. Even post glam and the 80s.

Historical references (+6): Kate Beaton comics FTW. Also, who doesn't like being smart?

Knowing historical anachronisms (opposed to just fucking things up because you didn't do the research)(+13): See A Knight's Tale for an example of something awesomly anarchronistic.

Bad history and poor researching (-20 zillion points): See The Patriot. Guest comments by Charlotte:

Tomahawk Scene. omg. Guerrilla warfare in the American Revolution was not fought like this, it would be fought with more than one man and it would not be him just popping out from behind trees. It was "guerrilla warfare" because they didn't really have formation like the British and they would hide behind landforms etc to fight instead of lining up while wearing bright colors and firing in the open like the British. Linking this to guerrilla warfare became popular during the Vietnam war, but it was actually very different.

Also, this is the second movie we have listed with Heath Ledger in it.

Good soundtracks (+5 by default, up to +25): There are so many to choose from! Here are some of Charlotte, Monet, and my favorites:

The Nightmare Before Christmas (Kidnap the Sandy Claus)
Cabaret (Two Ladies)
Once (Falling Slowly)
The Darjeeling Limited (Les Champs-Élysées)
Pirates of the Carribbean (He's a Pirate remix)
Buffy (Rest in Peace)
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (The Steward of Gondor)
Kill Bill (The Grand Duel)
O Brother Where Art Thou (I Am A Man of Constant Sorrow)
Paprika (The Girl in Byakkoya)
A Series of Unfortunate Events (The Marvelous Marriage)
The Tango Lesson (I Am You)
Utena (Overture, Zettai Unmei Mokushiroku, and Nemuro Kinenkan)

Fantastic costume design (+6 minimum): Colleen Atwood is love.

Sweet special effects and stunts (+4): Let's talk about Pirates of the Carribbean and how freaking awesome it looks (most of the time). Case in point: Jack Sparrow, Norrington, and Will Turner fight for the key to the Dead Man's Chest.

Awesome battles that make sense in the context of the movie (+8): A.k.a The Battle of Helms Deep in The Two Towers.

Stylish glasses (+3): Tina Fey!

Tim Burton (+50 automatically): The man's a genius, what can we say?

Clever writing (+9): Insert something clever _here_

Solid plotlines (+23.7): We like plot. Stories where things happen-and they mostly make sense-are pretty awesome in our opinion and sadly lacking.

British accents (-2 to +7): Accents are awesome and classy like Rupert Grint! when they're done well. When they're done badly, well, there's a reason why Dick Van Dyck still gets mocked for Mary Poppins.

Musical numbers: How can you not love them? Here are some of our favorites: I'm Rather Shy from Tipping the Velvet, Zidler's Rap from Moulin Rouge, A scene from Pin Up Girl which is one of the best musicals ever, By the Sea from Sweeney Todd, Amada Palmer's cover of Mein Herr, I'll Make A Man Out of You from the best Disney movie ever Mulan!, Guy Love from Scrubs, the opening to the Utena video game, and, from Flight of the Conchords: Frodo, Don't Wear the Ring

Classiness`(+1 for each instance): Classiness improves everything (just like Rupert Grint!)

Pretty people (+1 to +35, depending): For example, Figwit. Figwit stands for "Frodo is great! Who is that?" And Helena Bonham Carter. And Juri. And Erin Cummings.

Good acting (unless it's deliberately bad in which it's ok) (+7): Things without Keanu Reeves.

Overwrought slow motion sequences (good or bad, depends on context) (+ or -2.8): How can you not love these when they're awesome or despise them when they're not?

Montages (especially training!) (+ 3 if they're good, -11 if they're crap): Montages are almost always entertaining. Here are some of our favorites:

Rocky I
Rocky IV
The Lion King
Buffy
Dirty Dancing
Mulan

Tap dancing (especially up the stairs!) (+14): Tap dancing is always awesome. Stormy Weather has what's probably the greatest tap dancing scene that will ever be filmed.

Awesome trailers (+39): Watchmen and Bitch Slap!

Just so you all know, Charlotte and I started this around 10pm with the intention of writing some stuff and watching a movie. It's now 2:30 in the morning. This is how much we love our readers-we'll spend 4.5 hours tracking down youtube videos, images, and uploading mp3s for you.

ETA: I'm aware that a lot of the mp3 links don't work. I'm going to try and sort that out after I get some sleep.